TOURS

Bareboating in the Whitsundays – A Unique Experience

The gentle lapping of water against your bedroom wall lulls you to sleep as you dream of the scenic views you took in for the day from your floating hotel room.

Experience star-filled nights in tranquil anchorages, visit secluded bays, explore rainforest covered islands or sun yourself on world famous Whitehaven Beach. Snorkel the fringing coral of the Great Barrier Reef and come face to face with abundant marine life. Sunsets compete with each other trying to outdo the day before, and your only worry is which direction the wind is coming from.

Nara Inlet Photo: Mercedes Ireland

Bareboating in the Whitsundays is a truly memorable experience that everyone should do at least once in their life. Set your own pace and plan your own holiday itinerary as you meander around the 74 islands of the Whitsundays in charge of your own destiny on board your private yacht, sailing catamaran or power catamaran.

No licence required

Photo: Mercedes Ireland

While a licence isn’t required, some boating experience is an advantage and a qualified, friendly Bareboat Briefer will take you through every aspect of the safe operation of the boat and make sure that everyone on board is comfortable to navigate the boat around the 74 islands. If you prefer to have someone else do the navigating and meal preparation for you, you can hire a Host and Sail Guide, allowing you and your friends or family to truly relax into the holiday vibe.

Explore the beauty of the Whitsundays

The Hill Inlet Photo: Mercedes Ireland

Located between Cairns and Brisbane on the Queensland Coast, Airlie Beach is a small coastal resort town and the gateway to the Whitsundays, made up of 74 islands in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef. Rising like pyramids from the ocean, the islands are surrounded by fringing coral reef, pristine beaches and tranquil anchorages and simply no better way to explore them than by chartering your very own bareboat with friends or family.

Choose a vessel that suit you

The Lucia Sailing Catamaran Photo: Mercedes Ireland

Choosing the perfect bareboat for your group is as easy as 1,2,3. Bareboats range in size from 32 feet to 47 feet with a selection of sailing yachts, sailing catamarans and power catamarans. Each vessel is fully equipped with all the necessities to grant you comfort on your holiday including a galley (or kitchen to the uninitiated) with a gas stove, oven and BBQ on the back deck perfect for entertaining as the sun sets over the horizon on another glorious day. Towels, linen, snorkelling gear and tender with outboard are all at your fingertips to ensure your holiday is complete.

Culinary delights

The saloon on board Lucia Photo: Mercedes Ireland

Provisioning for your bareboat charter is an important aspect of any holiday and preparation is key if you prefer to spend more time on deck sharing stories with friends and family of the days’ adventures, instead of spending valuable time in the galley preparing meals for everyone.

Local provisioning services supply fresh local produce, packed and delivered to your bareboat with enough snacks and meals for everyone on board for the duration of the charter. Think cheese platters on the bow of the boat as the sun goes down, marinated steak on the back deck BBQ and fresh salads and sides to suit even the fussiest of tastebuds.

Explore ‘til your hearts content

Turtle on the reef Photo: Mercedes Ireland

The Whitsunday islands and fringing coral of the Great Barrier Reef has a vast array of things to see and do. How about a snorkel after breakfast straight from the back deck of your boat into the azure waters or discover gobsmacking views from lookouts after meandering through rainforest covered walking tracks, or ancient Aboriginal cave paintings dating back 9000 years. Perhaps a good book on the bow of the boat is all you’re really interested, you can make your bareboat holiday as active or relaxing as you like.

Visit Iconic locations

Whitehaven Beach Photo: Mercedes Ireland

If you’ve never heard of Whitehaven Beach or Hill Inlet Lookout, then you should probably get out more often. 7 kilometres of pure white silica sand stretching along the wester coast of Whitsunday Island, the sand squeaks when you walk on it from being so fine and is never hot under foot no matter how sunny it is. At the northern end of Whitehaven Beach is Hill Inlet, a swirling pattern of cobalt blue and white sand that changes shape with each turn of the tide. A short walk up a track will bring you to the lookout where you can easily stand for many hours stunned in silence by the sheer beauty this place holds.

Is a bareboating holiday for you?

Photo: Mercedes Ireland

A bareboat holiday in the Whitsundays is a truly unique and memorable experience and suitable for all walks of life. Bring your kids and be guaranteed they too will bring their own children on a charter once grown up. Gather a group of close friends and watch the bond between you become stronger as you share an amazing time together.

Set your own pace dictated only by which way the wind and tide are coming from and which anchorage you’d like to visit next. Experience it all and create a lifetime of memories that will exceed your expectations.